How to Become a Social Media Consultant

Do you know that 56% of non-freelancers say they’ll likely be a freelancer in the future? The gig economy is flourishing and so is the demand for remote jobs and contractual work. Given the growth trajectory, social media consultancy is a great career path to explore, especially if you have a knack for creating content, managing social profiles, and interacting with social media audiences. In this guide, we’ll talk about what a social media consultant is, what qualities they possess, and how to become a social media consultant, even if you have no prior experience. Let’s dive in.

What is a Social Media Consultant?

A social media consultant specializes in social media content planning and strategy. Companies and businesses often hire a social media consultant to grow their social media presence, build a brand, or achieve other specific marketing objectives. The role involves helping brands come up with a social media marketing strategy and identify areas for growth.

What Does a Social Media Consultant Do?

Social media consultancy typically involves strategy creation, goal setting, and overseeing social media marketing activities. However, the exact role depends on your specific marketing needs. Typically, they’re responsible for:

Mapping out a social media content strategy
Creating and publishing content like image posts, written posts, and videos
Communicating with customers and prospects and addressing their queries
Work with sales and marketing staff to ensure consistent branding across platforms
And more

How to Become a Social Media Consultant?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can become a social media consultant.

Get an Education

Your first step should be to get yourself educated, especially if you want to do a long-term role in a big company. A bachelor’s degree in marketing or any other related field should be enough to get you a job. However, note that a degree isn’t always necessary for a job role. Also, some employers may prefer candidates without a degree if they’re good at what they’re required to do. If you don’t want to pursue a degree and are more inclined towards freelance roles, consider getting online courses, preferably with certifications. This will help you get a grip on the basic concepts and build some credibility as a service provider.

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Choose a Niche

Focusing on a niche helps you stand out, get noticed by employers, and build your authority relatively quickly. Pick a niche you’re good at or are comfortable with. For instance, you could position yourself as an expert in the coaching space. Or, offer social media consultancy services to local businesses. If you don’t want to focus on a particular industry, you could pick a specialization-based niche, such as:

Content strategy
Content creation
Social media graphic design

Get Some Experience

One of the trickiest parts of becoming a successful social media consultant is getting the initial exposure and experience. Most employers would want to see your previous work and client results before hiring you for a full-time role. To get your foot into the door, you can offer your services at a cheaper price point or do an internship. This will also equip you with the right mindset, skills, and knowledge to take on a more comprehensive role in a big company.

Network

Networking is probably the most powerful way to build your credibility as a service provider or a potential employee. Join relevant social media groups and online communities and stay active. Build your network by sending connection requests on LinkedIn, commenting on relevant posts, and sharing valuable content on your social media profiles. LinkedIn is probably the best place for networking as most of the users there fall under the B2B (Business-to-business) umbrella.

Grow Your Social Media Profiles

Since you’re trying to show your social media marketing skills, there’s probably nothing better than growing your own social media profiles. Pick the platforms that you want to offer services on. For instance, if you want to focus on Instagram marketing, start and grow an Instagram page.

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Most Important Skills to Become a Successful Social Media Consultant

Here are the most important skills you need to become a successful social media consultant.

Communication

From writing effective social media content to interacting with clients, communication is the cornerstone of this role. The good thing is even if you don’t have good communication skills, you can learn them as you grow as a professional.

Creativity

As a consultant, you’ll need to come up with a growth strategy, and content plan, and even create content. All that needs creativity.

Data Analysis

The role requires you to be good at tracking key performance indicators and understanding the data to make informed marketing decisions.

How to Become a Social Media Consultant: FAQs

Let’s address a few frequently asked questions about becoming a social media consultant briefly.

How Do I Become a Social Media Consultant?

Start by equipping yourself with the right knowledge and skills. Practice social media marketing on your own accounts and/or do internships to gain experience. Network online to build connections and pitch your services when the right time comes.

How Much Do Social Media Consultants Charge?

Social media consultants charge between $500 – $2000 per month, but the exact amount depends on the experience of the service provider and the nature of the role.

What Does a Social Media Consultant Do?

A social media consultant creates content strategies, works with the marketing team, and analyzes performance to ensure consistent growth, among other things.

Conclusion

Two of the most important things you need to become a social media consultant are your skills, which you hone through practice, and experience, which you gain by working with clients. Start by practicing social media marketing on your own accounts or offer your services for free or at a lower price point to get your foot in the door. Build your portfolio and start pitching your services to potential clients on LinkedIn, the most popular professional networking site, job boards like Indeed, and even relevant social media groups.

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